Israel officially decriminalizes marijuana

First-time offenders will face $270 fine if caught using marijuana in a public place

Haaretz (Israel)Sunday, March 5, 2017

The cabinet approved the decriminalized use of marijuana in Israel. According to the proposal formulated by the Public Security and Justice ministries, any first-time offender caught using marijuana in public would receive a fine rather than face criminal action. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said that "the government's approval is an important step on the way to implement the new policy, which will emphasize public information and treatment instead of criminal enforcement." To implement the policy, an inter-ministerial team will be set up to propose amendments, regulations and the required changes to carry out the new policy. (Read more: How cannabis became illegal in Israel in the first place | Israel makes it official: Cannabis is not a crime)

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